The Saint Returns To Television

Despite reports earlier this year that RKO Pictures was trying to revive the property as a film trilogy, it turns out “The Saint” franchise is instead going back to its most familiar format – television.

Adam Rayner (“Hunted”, “Hawthorne”) and Eliza Dushku (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Dollhouse”) are attached to star in a new pilot based on Leslie Charteris’ book series. The books followed Simon Templar (Rayner), a thief who sees himself as a modern day Robin Hood as he steals from only other criminals – corrupt politicians, arms dealers, drug runners, white slavers and so on.

The property has been adapted many times before, most famously as a long-running 60’s British TV series with Roger Moore in the title role. Phil Noyce directed a film adaptation in 1997 starring Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue, while Ian Ogilvy and Simon Dutton portrayed the character on the small screen in the 70’s and 80’s respectively. Even Vincent Price voiced the character for radio serials.

Dushku plays love interest Patricia Holm who appeared in the books but wasn’t in the 60’s show. Roger Moore himself is co-producing this new series with Simon West (“The Mechanic,” “The Expendables 2”) attached to direct the pilot from a script by Jesse Alexander.